UPDATE: Texas attorney general’s race sees strange endorsement

UPDATE: Spokesmen for Smitherman and Paxton have responded to requests for comment to the below article.

“Endorsements are fine, Barry has several, but Barry prefers to talk about qualifications, experience and ability to lead the office of Attorney General because that is what Texans are interested in,” said Jared Craighead, a spokesman for Smitherman. “He simply pointed out his opponents have touted endorsements that were not accurate.”

“A key aspect in winning the race for Attorney General is demonstrating who is the most trusted and proven conservative. Senator Paxton’s long list of blue-chip, respected conservative leaders who have publicly endorsed him prove that he is that candidate,” Kevin Brannon, a spokesperson for Paxton said. ” Clearly, Senator Paxton has a strong lead in conservative endorsements.”

Paxton’s campaign announced an endorsement from state Rep. James White, R-Woodville, on Tuesday. White is the 24th member of the House to back Paxton.

ORIGINAL POST:

Barry Smitherman (courtesy photo)

The three like-minded Republican attorney general candidates are straining to paint themselves as a better – or different – candidate from the other. While positions on issues haven’t divided the candidates much, the endorsements have both segregated and tied the candidates together.

The GOP candidates, including Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman of Houston, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, participated in their first debate at a policy and politics convention Saturday hosted by the Texas Tribune. The candidates showed little room between them – specifically to the right – on issues, but endorsements were a dividing topic.

Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

Smitherman warned the crowd to be wary of endorsements because some of the individuals his opponents were touting support from actually did not endorse them, he said.

When questioned on specifics by Branch, Smitherman listed state Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Cypress, and state Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Kingwood as being the misrepresented representatives by Branch’s campaign.

Fletcher said by phone Tuesday he is supporting Branch for attorney general, and that he had previously told Smitherman that.

“Both Barry (Smitherman) and Ken (Paxton) are great guys,” Fletcher said. “But I’ve served with Dan (Branch) in the House and I told him I’d support him for AG more than a year ago.”

Huberty, Paxton and Smitherman did not return a request for comment by the time of publication.

Smitherman did not name the individuals which Paxton allegedly misrepresented as endorsing him, however, last month Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of the tea party group Empower Texans, said he had not endorsed a candidate in the AG race even though he was included in a list of supporters from Paxton’s campaign.

To confuse voters further, one of the largest anti-abortion organizations in the state, Texas Right to Life, issued a “dual endorsement” Monday for Paxton and Smitherman. The group’s lobbyist and activists worked closely with conservative lawmakers to pass some of the toughest abortion restrictions in the country this summer.

Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

The group’s close affiliation with a red-meat issue makes their blessing one of the most sought after endorsements in a Republican primary. Both Paxton and Smitherman released announcements on the group’s endorsement, but did not mention that it was a dual endorsement.

“Dan Branch is a proven conservative who has fought to pass landmark pro-life legislation like the Sonogram Bill, fought to end abortions after 5 months of pregnancy,” said Enrique Marquez, a spokesman for Branch. “He will continue to fight for the rights of the unborn as the next Attorney General of Texas.”

Branch has used his home-field advantage in Dallas to score the support of Dallas Cowboy quarterback legends Troy Aikman.

No Democrat candidate has announced for the state’s top lawyer, which is an open seat now that Attorney General Greg Abbott is running for governor. State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, has voiced more interest than any other Dem for the office.

Branch leads the pack with $4 million in his campaign account, one of the largest in Texas, while Paxton has $1.6 million on hand and Smitherman has $1 million.